Are you or a family member transitioning to assisted living?
9/4/2025 by Natalie Mohammad, APRN, C.N.P.
Transitioning to assisted living facilities (ALF) can be a challenging experience, whether the move is planned or prompted by sudden medical changes. Although I have worked in Mayo Clinic Senior Services for a decade and have navigated this transition with many patients and families, it was not until I walked through this transition with my husband and his parents that I learned so much more about the process.
First and foremost, leaving your own home (or moving your parents out of their home) is hard. It represents a loss of independence. You're leaving the home you may have lived in for many years (or decades), which likely holds many memories for your family. It's important to give yourself and your loved ones patience through the process.
Plan ahead
If you have time to plan, please do so early. Tour several ALFs in your town and ask questions about their services, costs, visiting hours, pet policies and more. Having an idea of which facility (or facilities) you would choose early in the process can prevent the need to find a care venue in a time of crisis, such as when your loved one is in the hospital and cannot safely return home or is in rehab and is not strong enough to return home.
Making the move
Once you have made the move, give yourself time to settle in. Your routine may be different from what it was before. You may have staff checking in throughout the day to provide medications or help with bathing or toileting. This is also a time to share with staff what works best for your care (such as if you may want to sleep late and don’t eat breakfast until mid-morning). Communication with the ALF caregivers during this transition phase is vital.
Routine check-ins
Routine check-ins with the ALF team are essential. The ALF team will schedule regular care conferences to discuss what is going well, what can be improved, and identify any unmet needs. They will also review the current service plan to determine if your loved one requires more care than is currently provided. Monitoring weight and blood pressure can be particularly helpful in tracking weight loss or high blood pressure concerns.
Caregiver strain
Caregiver strain is a genuine concern. Making decisions in the best interest of your parents or other loved ones can be difficult, especially if they are resistant. ALFs are expensive, but knowing your loved one is in a care setting rather than alone at home offers a sense of security worth the price. Find time to care for yourself, which is easier said than done.
Navigating this transition requires understanding, patience and open communication. By working together with the ALF team and acknowledging the challenges, you can help ensure a smoother and more supportive transition for everyone involved. And as always, please keep your primary care clinician updated on these decisions so they can support you throughout the process.
Natalie Mohammad, APRN, C.N.P., is a nurse practitioner in Primary Care in Rochester and Kasson. She works in Senior Services and cares for patients in their home, assisted living and nursing home settings. She enjoys caring for patients and their families along the many transitions of care. She is the recent owner of a golden retriever puppy and is comparing potty training a puppy to potty training a toddler.